Royal Challengers Bengaluru:<\/b> Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) went up to Rs 1.05 crore in an attempt to bring Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux back into their squad at the WPL 2027 auction, but eventually lost out to UP Warriorz. RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan explained the franchise\u2019s approach to the bidding on auction day, while also outlining why the team backed injury-hit Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen for Rs 40 lakh as it finalised its squad for the upcoming season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rangarajan acknowledged that RCB had pushed hard to retain Molineux\u2019s services, particularly after her contribution to the franchise\u2019s championship-winning campaign last season. However, with a purse of Rs 1.15 crore entering the auction, the team had to balance its pursuit of the Australian with other recruitment priorities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen you have Rs 1.15 crores and you go till 1.05 for her, I think we did the best we could to get her back. We also have to recognise that we did win the championship last year. So, we would have loved to have her in our squad, and we tried to demonstrate that. But I wish Sophie the very best when she plays for UP, a gun cricketer. We would have liked her, but again, that\u2019s how the auction works, and we had other players also that we were looking at,\u201d Rangarajan told JioStar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite missing out on Molineux, RCB secured four players to complete their squad, with Jonassen joining South African all-rounder Chloe Tryon, Indian batter Tejal Hasabnis and Indian batter Vrinda Dinesh. The acquisitions cost the franchise Rs 1.10 crore in total, adding depth to its spin attack, all-round resources and Indian batting options.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jonassen\u2019s availability, however, remains an important consideration ahead of the tournament. The Australian has opted out of the Women\u2019s Big Bash League (WBBL) while recovering from an injury, but RCB are working with the expectation that she will be fit in time for the WPL.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rangarajan said the franchise had assessed the risks before committing to the experienced left-arm spinner and had contingency plans in place should her recovery take longer than anticipated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cShe has opted not to play the WBBL now because she is nursing an injury. The information we have at the moment is that she\u2019s going to be fit by the end of December, and she\u2019ll play a couple of domestic List-A games in Australia and should be fit in time for the WPL. JJ is a very experienced player. We\u2019re aware of her current fitness status, but we still wanted her. Similarly with Sophie also. We were very aware of what we were going to sign up for. <\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo, if required, we also have all our backup plans ready. I\u2019d like to focus on JJ the player and the way she improves our team. A left-arm spinner who is a powerplay option for us through the middle and death, and more importantly, bats anywhere between four and six. So very, very happy to have JJ in the team,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cShe has opted not to play the WBBL now because she is nursing an injury. The information we have at the moment is that she\u2019s going to be fit by the end of December, and she\u2019ll play a couple of domestic List-A games in Australia and should be fit in time for the WPL. JJ is a very experienced player. We\u2019re aware of her current fitness status, but we still wanted her. Similarly with Sophie also. We were very aware of what we were going to sign up for. <\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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